Is 8 weeks enough? (DSLR, Nikon, d30, 50mm)

[heavyweight]

I've got 8-10 weeks before hitting the road to S America, SE Asia, and Africa through...sometime in 2011.

I am a novice; I need economical and functional equipment. If the cam is damaged or stolen, I don't wanna lose sleep over $ lost.
Will lug a Nikon D3000; prefer the D40 but it's $100 xtra. Plan to use manual settings & only carry the budget 55-200mm lens. If anyone has better suggestions(?), I've got a couple weeks to purchase.

Don't want to miss out on shots because I'm too clumsy with the camera. Don't want to lug a DSLR only to use it in auto-focus the entire time. If that's the case, best to stick solely with p&s. I'm taking a p&s anyway for rainy days, especially unsafe areas, and surfing/diving.

Is 8-10 weeks sufficient time for a beginner to practice, become familiar with DSLR and use basic manual settings? Realistically I think I can practice a couple hours a day, at different times/lighting throughout the day. Once I start traveling, I would continue to improve marginally as I go. But, this isn't a photo safari & photog' isn't my profession. So, it's more important that I enjoy my travels, than spend the first few months on a steep learning curve.

If I don't mention it, thanks for the free advice.

[MAK802]

This is perhaps the best online tutorial for using and understanding your DSLR. If you read and follow the instructions in this, you'll undoubtedly be ready for your trip. I know you said you have 8-10 weeks, but that should be enough to cover the basics. This is 12 weeks to better photos. I'm posting the link to lesson #1. To find the rest, change the one to a two and so on in the url.

As far as lenses go, I would highly recommend at least getting the 50mm, f1.8 as well. It's a very cheap prime lens that is absolutely wonderful. It's one of my favorite lenses.

http://is7.twopeasinabucket.com/photocourse/weekone.pdf (broken link)

[mathjak107]

its been 3-1/2 years and im still learning.

[mathjak107]

Nikon D3000 User's Guide

[RUNYYfan]

For the purposes of learning the wheels, knobs, and buttons on a camera, 8-10 weeks should be enough time to allow you to understand which one to manipulate to adjust. Since you are using a Nikon, here are a few tips I would suggest.

1) Understand the icons in the viewfinder. You mentioned the D3000 so this is the image I am referencing.

http://www.photoreview.com.au/reviews/digitalslr/D3000_FD_1.jpg (broken link)

1a) Learn how to select your auto-focus (AF) points (those little rectangles) quickly.

1b) Be aware of the "balance bar" in the lower middle of the viewfinder. This is going to tell you how bright or dark your picture is going to be. On bright, sunny days, I tend to actually push the line one to two lines to the right of center (0). I do the reverse on darker days.

2) Keep in mind that clouds may actually be your friend in some instances because they are natural diffusers.

3) Take time to compose your photos. Use the "Rule of Thirds" but don't take it to be absolute.

4) When you are practicing with the camera, spend about a half-hour each day using a specific wheel or button to understand how it changes the image you capture. Then start to include other buttons or knobs so you get an understanding of what combinations will produce the closest replica of what you are seeing.

Example: Change your f/stop only. Then change your shutter speed (ISO). Then begin to combine both to see how they will impact the depth of field and the brilliance of colors.

Good luck!

[kdog]

Oh, heck yeah. I bought my DSLR the day before leaving for an Alaska cruise, and read the manual on the plane. I made some mistakes, but still got tons of great shots. So get busy!

[jayrandom]

It's like that old game Othello, "A minute to learn, a lifetime to master." Eight weeks is more than enough time to get started, but you'll probably always be getting better.

[RUNYYfan]

If you are a seasoned international traveler, you probably don't need to read this post. If this is your first or second time abroad, especially with camera equipment, you need to be aware of a few things.

1) I'm presuming that you are in the US. If that's the case, make sure you have filled out the CBP Form 4457 - Certification of Registration for Personal Effects Taken Abroad. If you located in another country, check with your Customs Office.

2) Take some time and check over information related to each of the countries you are planning to go to. I'd suggest checking the following: US State Current Travel Warnings

3) Finally, check out the Tips for Traveling Abroad also from US State.

Hope you have fun and enjoy the trip!

[dpi-vic]

If you have any thought of getting landscapes, or being close to subjects, a shorter lens is a must. This camera has a 1.5 crop factor which makes a 55mm lens effectively 82mm (assuming the lens is using full frame numbers). On the plus side that makes the 200mm a 300mm. My point is that you will want a shorter lens, and the shorter the better. My advice: get a zoom that goes below 20mm, and up to whatever you are willing to spend.

On the other hand, if enjoying the travel is more important than the photography you may wish to check out this link: 'Compact Super Zoom' Camera Group Test (Q2 2010) Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

Other considerations:

Do you plan to upload your photos to a hard drive often, if so what software do you plan to use? Do you already use it or do you need to learn that too?

How will you back up your files? CD/DVD? Multiple hard drives? Both, neither? And, frankly more is better, after months of traveling you don't want to lose your photos. I recently read an article by a pro who makes 2 hard drive and 1 DVD copy each day, takes 1 of the drives with him and hides the DVD in his laundry in the hotel room. Overkill, maybe, but something to think about.

Will you shoot jpeg or RAW?

Batteries, batteries, batteries. Have spares and be able to charge them on whatever electrical system you will encounter.

Final thought: Don't discount auto focus. It can be a real help, if you can get it to focus where you want it. RUNYYfan's advice on this is good. You can use auto focus and still control the exposure manually. And if you are concerned about missing shots, keep the camera set in auto mode, get the quick shots, and be ready to change to manual when you have time to set up a shot.

OK, that's it for now. Happy trails!

[heavyweight]

Wow! I am really encouraged. If kdog can do it, maybe I can too...

MAK802 & dpi-vic, thanks for the input on the lens. I will check out the 12 week guide for sure.

mathjak107, Any skill-set (i.e. music, carpentry, martial arts) is worthy of practice and further development. As I said, this is about learning some basics to build on.

RUNYYfan, invaluable overview on how best to practice! Appreciate the safety/travel tips. I've traveled extensively but have done my best to look broke. I am nervous about "flashpacking" in countries where people live on $2 a day; a DSLR can feed someone for 9 months.

Originally Posted by dpi-vic

Do you plan to upload your photos to a hard drive often, if so what software do you plan to use? Do you already use it or do you need to learn that too?

How will you back up your files? CD/DVD? Multiple hard drives? Both, neither?
Will you shoot jpeg or RAW?

I'm partial to backblaze for general storage. Synclive and Amazon s3 cloud may best for just this trip. Good point, better start experimenting. I planned to carry flash drives; mail 'em home along the way in the countries w/ solid postal systems. I shoot jpeg, no experience with RAW. Would love to learn eventually but my hands are full this time around.

Appreciate the advice. Suddenly I've got homework!